Dynamic duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were both on target as Leicester City claimed another impressive home win over Watford.

Vardy smashed home a first-half penalty and Mahrez completed the victory with a superb finish from a tight angle in added time as City moved up to seventh in the Premier League.

It was also City’s fifth consecutive clean-sheet in all competitions, showing they have added some defensive steel to their exciting attacking play.

City were looking to build on their excellent display in the goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last week and it was no surprise that Claude Puel picked the same line-up, having made eight changes for the midweek FA Cup win over Fleetwood Town.

There was no place on the bench for Vicente Iborra and Islam Slimani, but there was a place for new arrival Fousseni Diabate.

Inevitably, Watford looked to exploit City’s weakness from set-pieces early in the game, forcing three corners in the opening minutes but City stood firm and then started to play the passing brand of football they have become renowned for under Puel.

Jamie Vardy is brought down for a penalty against Watford

On Boxing day Heurelho Gomes was Watford’s late hero to deny City but he was replaced in goal by Greek keeper Orestis Karnezis, and he produced two excellent saves to deny Vardy after a quick City counter-attack and then Wilfred Ndidi from close range after an excellent Riyad Mahrez free-ick.

Watford hardly troubled Kasper Schmeichel but Puel’s men were thankful to the linesman’s flag in the 34 minute when Troy Deeney found the net with a crisp volley, but was ruled offside.

Replays showed it was a tight decision that could have gone either way and a VAR official may have even overturned it.

City were being patient and waiting for their opportunity, with Vardy a constant menace, and they did eventually open up the visitors four minutes later when crisp passing between Vardy, Shinji Okazaki led to Matt James’ decisive through-ball for Vardy, and former City loanee Molla Wague upended the City striker for a certain penalty.

Vardy stepped up and smashed home his 11 goal of the season and City’s 300 on home soil in the Premier League.

City knew they needed another one after the Watford comeback at Vicarage Road, and they should have had it after the break when Vardy got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Okazaki but his finish lacked power and it was an easy save for Karnezis.

Watfiord knew that as long as it stayed 1-0 they would get a chance, especially from set plays.

City still looked the more dangerous, but were lacking a clinical edge around the box. On several occasions, the front three of Vardy, Okazaki and Mahrez found themselves in promising positions but the final ball repeatedly let them down.

When the final ball was right, as it was from Ben Chilwell looking to pick out Vardy at the back post on the hour, it took a brilliant interception from Marvin Zeegelaar to deny them.

City appealed for a second penalty when Abdoulaye Doucoure clumsily challenged Mahrez, but Probert said no this time.

It was a push but not enough to evoke the tumble and Mahrez’s reputation still proceeds him to his and City’s detriment.

Vardy then struck the post after a through-ball from Mahrez, who was causing Watford plenty of problems, but this time the marginal offside decision went against City.

The Hornets were hanging on, waiting for their big chance and it came in the 74 minute when Deeney played sub Andre Gray in behind City’s defence and he was only denied by a brilliant block from Maguire.

City were still pushing for the second and Ndidi nearly capped a superb performance with a goal but Karnezis pushed away his fierce strike in the final minutes but in added time City did finally swat the Hornets and it was Mahrez who scored his eighth goal of the season from an acute angle.